Siheyuan: Xu Damao's New Life

"Second Uncle, I don't have time to care about the situation in the school. Can you tell me what it's like now?" Xu Damao asked.

Yan Bugui took the cigarette, lit it and took a deep puff. "What else can we do? The school has been suspended. We teachers are also unlucky now and have been labeled as the stinking ninth graders."

"Schools are also organizing sports activities now. Even at work, there is nothing to do. No one cares if you are too lazy to go to school. Those with questionable backgrounds are assigned to sweep the streets in school. My second son's wife went to sweep the streets in school."

Ran Qiuye's overseas experience is indeed a problem during this special period, and her parents are probably in a worse situation. This situation is very common during this special period, and Xu Damao can't help even if he wants to.

Yan Bugui didn't have much trouble, after all, he was just a small business owner. A small business owner is someone who has a small workshop at home and does not hire anyone but works by himself.

This group is also a member of the working people. Although they do not have the glory of poor peasants or hired farmers, at least they will not be implicated too much. However, if the movement is expanded, it is hard to say.

"Da Mao, I'm not working, and my second son's wife is sweeping the streets. Our family's income has been reduced a lot. How are we going to make ends meet?" Yan Bugui said with a sad face. If I had known this, I should have spent less when I married my son's daughter-in-law.

"Hey, don't we still have Jiecheng and Jiefang's salaries? We survived those difficult three years, let alone the days now. Everything will be fine!" Xu Damao comforted.

"Yes, we almost starved to death at that time. We didn't even dare to eat cornmeal steamed bread. All the food was exchanged for sweet potatoes and potatoes. But we survived, didn't we? Hearing what you said, I feel much better." Yan Bugui said.

"Haha, then you can continue to fiddle with your flowers and plants. I have something else to do and need to go out for a while."

"Go ahead, come over for a drink when you have time. I love to hear you comforting people."

"Then I won't say anything more. I'm leaving."

"You boy!"

Xu Damao rode his bike and soon arrived at the street, but he didn't have a clear goal for the time being. He might as well go to the Trust Store to have a look. There were a lot of antiques, calligraphy and paintings there, but he didn't know if they were still there.

When Xu Damao walked into the Trust Store, he felt that it was a bit deserted. Not only were there fewer customers, but even the shelves displaying antiques were empty.

Xu Damao secretly said, "Oh no! I'm a step too late." He looked around but didn't see Zhao Xuan, so he decided to go to Xu Weiguo's office.

The doors and windows of the office were all open because of the darkness. Xu Damao knocked on the door and walked straight in.

"Brother Xu, why are you so listless all morning?"

Xu Weiguo was leaning back in his chair with his eyes closed, but he opened his eyes upon hearing this. "Oh, it's Brother Damao. How come you, a busy man, remembered to come and see me?"

"Hey, you're blaming me. It just so happens that I'm free now, so I can come here more often in the future, right?"

"Oh, aren't you the deputy factory director now? Do you still have time to spare?"

"The work I'm in charge of has been adjusted. Now I'm in charge of the Security Department and the Inspection Section. Basically, I don't have to worry about them. I will have more free time in the future. Why do you look so sad?" Xu Damao asked.

"Hey, it's all because of that group of Red Guards. Not only are there fewer customers, but a few days ago they rushed in shouting "Destroy the Four Olds" and directly took away all the antiques, calligraphy and paintings I had. They said that these were feudal dregs and had to be destroyed in a centralized manner." Xu Weiguo said helplessly.

"They just walked away with the stuff, but what am I going to do with my account? And there are a lot of things that sellers have put on consignment with me, how am I going to explain this to them?"

"You don't have to worry about that. The sellers are eager to draw a clear line between themselves and these things at this time. Even if you return the things to them, they will not want them." Xu Damao said.

Xu Weiguo agreed when he thought about it. These things now represent the Four Olds, which is a big trouble. It is too late to distance himself from them, but no one is willing to take the responsibility on him.

"Well, what you said makes sense. Now I can rest assured."

"Brother Xu, don't be too happy too soon. Do you still need to issue vouchers to people for consignment items?"

"Of course. After the items are sold, we will wait for the seller to come over or notify the address left by the customer to collect the money. This receipt is both a receipt for consignment of items in our store and a receipt for withdrawing money," said Xu Weiguo.

"Although society is in chaos now and no one wants these things, I believe this period will eventually pass. In the future, society will gradually return to stability and the economy will begin to recover. These antiques and other items will become valuable. Money can move people's hearts, and at that time, this certificate will be the biggest trouble!" said Xu Damao.

After he reminded him, Xu Weiguo also reacted. Yes, the item is gone now, but the voucher is still in the hands of the seller. This is the biggest hidden danger! What should I do if the seller comes to ask for the item with the voucher?

Even if you are no longer in this position in the future, as the person in charge and manager at that time, you cannot escape the responsibility. You said that the things were burned by the Red Guards during the destruction of the Four Olds, but what should I do if I don't believe it? Could it be that you pocketed the money and then put the blame on the Red Guards?

"so what should I do?"

"If you want to know what to do, you have to eat first!"

Xu Weiguo was stunned for a moment before he reacted, "Okay, it's almost noon, let's go eat first."

So Xu Weiguo packed up and went to a nearby state-owned restaurant. Although the restaurant was small, the food was good and Xu Weiguo was a frequent customer.

The two ordered two dishes and a soup. Since there were not many customers, the dishes were served very quickly. The two chatted while eating.

"Da Mao, what exactly is the solution you are talking about?"

"You can just go to their house and tell them that the Little Red Guards are investigating the source of these things and are going to search their house. They will surely be scared, and you can take the opportunity to ask them to destroy or take back the vouchers. Who will believe them when they really want to argue with you without any evidence?"

"That's really great. I'll toast to you, brother."

The two drank from their glasses.

"Brother Xu, do you know where the Little Red Soldiers sent these things to be destroyed?"

"I heard them talking about it when they were moving things. It seemed to be a courtyard house near Qianmen. They will be destroyed near the square over there." Xu Weiguo smiled. He obviously knew that Xu Damao was planning to take these things. However, there was no need to make it too clear about mutually beneficial matters.

"Okay, thank you, brother. I'll toast you a little too."

The two of them clinked glasses and then went their separate ways after finishing their meal.